The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) has a requirement for a feasibility study to determine the benefits of relocating USGS researchers working at the Indiana Dunes Lake Michigan Ecological Station from their present location into a Visitor Center presently owned by the National Park Service. The Visitor Center will require extensive renovation to meet the needs of the USGS researchers to meet the important mission of the GLSC. The work may include the following: Renovation of office spaces, designing and building of laboratories, mechanical and utility equipment repair and replacement, ADA accessibility requirements, code compliance, security issues, parking areas and asbestos removal. GLSC Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station's facility needs to be moved to a new building because it no longer can accommodate the personnel, functions, and mission of that unit nor comply with codes and good science practices. Scientists are not capable of performing their jobs in a safe and competent manner because of inadequate space and out of date facilities. The Station was originally a Nike Missile Base in the mid-1950s and is poorly suited for modern scientific investigations. Further, the Station has grown in function and personnel such that renovation, expansion or re-design could not resolve the current compliance and operational issues posed by this outdated facility. The National Park Service has offered USGS a building that will adequately accommodate the Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station. The building is approximately 50 years old. Project Need/Benefit The current facilities do not comply with OSHA or ADA codes in large part because of congestion, lack of space for separation of chemicals, pathogens and controlled access, proper storage, exits, ventilation and access to the facilities by challenged populations. Scientific experiments cannot be conducted because space is too limiting for instruments, ventilation, required separation of experiments (clean rooms, separation of molecular and processing areas, freezer space, polished water, storage facilities, meeting areas, parking, etc.). The new facility will allow the station to fulfill its mission to USGS partners in the Great Lakes and meet the requirements of a safe, accessible and productive scientific federal facility. The study shall address the following items and issues: 1. The feasibility of using the Visitor Center to perform state of the art research important to the science mission of the Great Lakes Science Center.2. Document the deficiencies of the Visitor Center that will require repair/replacement to allow research to take place at this location.3. Provide cost estimates to correct or abate all deficiencies and costs of replacing and adding necessary equipment.4. Complete an energy study as part of the feasibility study to determine potential energy costs if the Visitor Center were to be rehabbed and occupied for research purposes.5. Provide operation and maintenance budget estimates to maintain the Facility each year.6. Complete a site inspection and provide drawings showing property boundaries and any legal right of ways required.7. Research and verify no known hazardous materials both within the Visitor Center and on the surrounding grounds either presently exist or did in the past. Provide guidelines for removal/remediation required.8. Provide written document showing any and all codes necessary to be followed to bring the asset and property into fully legal status for occupancy and scientific research.9. Calculate the current value of the property and building under this study and its value after completion of a renovation.10. Verify the Visitor Center is on and legally owned by the National Park Service, and outline general guidelines for transforming property and building to USGS ownership.11. Provide a cost estimate to move entire research operation into the renovated building.12. Complete the feasibility study within 90 days after notice of contract award. This notice is an invitation for all eligible A&E firms who have the qualifications required to perform the work to submit a completed SF 330. The associated solicitation number is 10ERQQ0439. Responses are due on Thursday, 07/29/2010 at 3:00 pm CST. This requirement is being issued as set aside for small business competition. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541330. The associated small business size standard is $4.5M. There is not an incumbent contractor. All A&E firms responding to this announcement shall submit a completed SF 330. Please provide the following additional information on the form: Tax Identification Number (TIN) and DUNS number. All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). For additional information, or to register with CCR, access http://www.ccr.gov. All A&E firms responding to this announcement will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1. Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services; 2. Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required; 3. Capacity to accomplish the project in the required time; 4. Past performance on contracts with government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules; and 5. Location in the general geographical area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project. The successful firm will be awarded a Firm-Fixed Price contract based solely on review and evaluation of the data contained in the SF-330. Upon successful completion of negotiations with the selected firm, the contract will be issued. This acquisition will be awarded under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold of $100,000.00. Electronic (
[email protected]) responses will be accepted and are encouraged. Facsimile (fax 608-270-2415) responses will also be accepted. IF mailing your response, it MUST be mailed to US Geological Survey, Attn: Kris Murray, 6006 Schroeder Road, Madison, WI 53711. Responses are due on Thursday, 07/29/2010 at 3:00 pm CST.